Holiday radio drama features goblins at the Ice House

Abbie Brown and Lydia Jenkinson are players in the “Hanukkah Goblins” radio drama. Morgan Arts Council’s Ice House Theater Project celebrates the holiday season with an original play, “Hanukkah Goblins,” written by Brice Williams and directed by Margi Griffiths. The show opens on Friday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m. and runs for two weekends

In a special twist, the play is staged as a live radio drama where crew turn the Ice House Theater into a 1940s radio studio and the Radio Players and musicians step up to the microphones to present “Hanukkah Goblins.”

The play is inspired by the children’s book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Set in Eastern Europe during the 1800s, this folk tale tells the story of a village overrun with goblins who prevent the town from celebrating Hanukkah. A traveler, Hershel, comes to the town’s aid and enlists the villagers in ridding the synagogue of the pesky goblins.

The production features a multitude of actors portraying various characters as well as several characters in the story.

Audiences will recognize some familiar faces, such as Griffiths, Williams, Caitlin Tobin, Reece Griffiths, Ann Williams, Abbie Brown and Charles Balkan. There are special guest appearances and new players to delight the audience.

Actor’s voices, live music and sound effects create a story of colorful characters, not-so-scary goblins and festivities with lessons about Hanukkah and a message of hope.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9 and 15 and 16. There are 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday, December 10 and Saturday, December 16. A pay-what-you-can performance is on Thursday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Funding comes in part from the National Endowment for the Arts, the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and local hotel/motel taxes.

The Ice House is at the corner of Independence and Mercer streets. For more information call 304-258-2300.